The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1887-02-07

turned towards G. w. c. Jones'
ranch Mt Kahuku, then turning again
in direction somewhat to the west
of south, pursued a nearly direct
course to the sea. The distance
from the source to where the lava
entered the sea was estimated to be
about twenty miles in a direct line,
and about twenty four miles as it
actually ran.
Twelve O'Clock was the time fixed
for starting, but it was nearly half
past one before we finally got away.
During the afternoon there was
some rain, but not enough to hide
the picturesque loveliness of the
Hamakua coast or materially inter-
fere with the comfort OF the pas
sengers. Had the gift of word
painting and did time permit, l
should be glad to discourse at length
on the beauty of sail along this
part of Hawaii. Let it suffice to
say that the almost continuous line
of steep cliffs, in many instances
fringed and draped richly with
vegetation; the countless waterfalls
tumbling over their precipitous faces
directly into the sea; the seemingly
endless rolling fields of cane, sweep
ing from the edge of the bluff back
to the foothills of Mauna Kea; the
numerous gulches, cutting the high
table-land at right angles and OPEN
ing directly out upon the sea, hav-
ing their sides clothed with the
richest conceivable profusion of
tropical vegetation, all combine to
make a picture which no one who
has once seen it ever likely to
forget. Favored by a sea which
allowed all save few of the most
susceptible ones to be up and en-
joying themselves, we made rapid
progress, passed Waipio just after
dark, rounded Kohala point, stopped
at Mahukona long enough to land
one or two passengers, and then
proceeded on to Kawaihae where we
remained all night, returning to
Mahukona early on Friday morning.
Through the liberality of the
steamship company, it had been
arranged that the excursion should
include ride from Mahukona to
Kohala and back on the railroad,
without extra cost. Nearly all our
passengers availed themselves of
the privilege, and packed in four
passenger cars, with platform
fitted up with seats and an awning
to serve as smoking car, about a
quarter to 9 o'clock we got off. TO
those of the party, who, like myself,
had never been over this road, the
ride was a surprise and delight.
To say that the road is exceedingly
crooked may slightly suggest, but
entirely fails to describe its almost
ineXpressible tortuousness. Up and
down the steepest of grades, wind
ing in and out among the hills,
crossing gulches on curved tressels
and doubling on its course in the
most astounding fashion, the road
pursues its picturesque way. Even
in my own native land where rail
roads are so plentiful, it would be
difficult to find a ride of the same
length which could equal it in
beauty and variety. At one time
we would be running along at some
distance from and parallel with the
shore, with lovely view out over
the sea and the grand bulk of Hale
akala filling up the distance. A
moment more and we would be
rushing along the side of deep
glen entirely shut in by the hills,
emerging suddenly from which we
would come out upon the dizzy
edge of precipice with the sea
breaking in white foam far below
and seemingly directly under our
feet. Many times we passed places
which were enough to make timid
person hold his breath. But our
party were too full of fun and frolic
to be troubled by such considera-
tions. As we stopped at the different
stations, detachments of our fellow
passengers left the train to make
brief visits to their friends, until in
due time, with our ranks consider
ably thinned, we arrived safely at
Multi, the terminus of the road.
Here the stewards unpacked the
bountiful supply of provisions which
had been brought from the ship and
we proceeded to attack a lunch,
which, though served In primitive
style, was abundant and good.
About l O'Clock word was given
to get on board, and taking our
places ONCE more, we started from
the station to the Accompaniment of
rousing chorus, which, to Judge
from the sensations of one who was
in the midst of it, might have been
heard for miles. 1t is doubtful if
mergier or noisier. party ever ira
veled over that road. They sang,
they shouted, they waved their hats
and handkerchiefs out of the win
dows and cheered at every house,
and even the solitary Chinese track
man, standing at his solitary post
by the roadside received his
share of the hilarious salutation.
In tho qpieter intervals they ate
sugar-cane with the same cnthu-
siasm with which they did every
thing else, Stopping at the various
stations, we gathered in those who